bullheads

[houscatch]

Is it just me or does there seem to be more and more bullheads every year in utah lake and the jordan river. They can be irritating at times when you are trying to catch other fish.
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[cat_man]

Hey houscatch, I also fish for the cats a lot at Utah Lake. I think they've always been very abundant there, plus most people will keep a Channel to eat but not the mudcats, so that might be a factor too.

If you're using nightcrawlers for bait, you'll get 20 - 30 mudcats for every Channel, at least that's been my experience. If you want to get more channels, use white bass meat or carp meat for bait, just a 1 " square will do fine. At least that's been my experience. If I use carp meat I'll catch 1 or two mudcats, but they leave it alone a lot longer and you end up catching some decent channels. If you use worms, you'll have fast action for mudcats perhaps, but you might not get any channels.

What I like to do is use a two-way swivel, and attach a worm to one hook and carp meat to the other hook. That way you'll entice the channels, but you won't get bored while waiting for them to come around. You can catch a few mudders to keep you busy.
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[houscatch]

Thanks for the advice I will have to try it, love the channels. Whats getting me too is Ill be jigging for walleye and once it gets slow i like to switch to a worm and thats where the trouble begins. Channels are one of my favorite fish to catch, I find it very interesting that the muds dont like the carp and bass meat as much. Very useful information. Thank you!
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[cat_man]

No problem. BTW, don't use bullhead meat for bait in Utah -- they are gamefish and it's against the law to use them as bait.
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[svpdgcar]

Ok guys not to ask a dumb questions, but I'm not real versed when it comes to catfish. Are mud cats and bullheads the same fish? [crazy]
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[cat_man]

Yes, mudcat is just a common term used to describe the bullhead catfish. The type of catfish we have in Utah are Channel Catfish and Black Bullhead Catfish (aka mudcats).
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[mateo]

Not a dumb question at all. And yes, they are the same thing.
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[ocean]

Go for the double threat ! Use chub minnows and you can get a channel cat or walleye.My wife caught a big channel a couple of weeks ago and i have been catching the eyes with them too.
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[houscatch]

I have caught a few eyes on worms, where is the best place to get the minnows? I've also been doing alright jigging a single white curly tail.
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[ocean]

If you are coming from the south payson sports has them and that way you dont have to drive all the way to spanish fork to get to lincoln.I know sportsmans in provo has them they were getting in a big shipment last week after i bought the last bags there.
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[sliverslinger]

How big are the bullheads in Utah Lake? Bullheads used to be my grandpa's bait of choice for trolling. Are they legal to use? If not in Utah what about other states-ie Wyoming? I would like to get some of the 2 1/2-4" for that same purpose if it is possible and legal. I would appreciate any info. Thanks, Jake
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[Shrimpboy]

I think what your grandpa was calling bullheads were actually sculpin. That's why my grandpa called them too. They are lethal trout bait, but illegal if used live.
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[cat_man]

Shrimpboy is right your grampa was probably referring to sculpins. They are common in many Utah rivers. They live on the bottom and have a very fat head -- hence the term bullhead. Browns just love to snack on them.
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[Kent]

Ah sculpins again. I am going to keep my mouth (or is it my fingers) shut this time around!
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[cat_man]

[angelic][][cool]
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[Kent]

Hey cat-man, it seems like you have been waiting two months for a couple months now? Remind me again (I believe you explained it once, but with my halfeimers I'm not sure) what happens in two months.
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[cat_man]

Kent, I just changed it ... that would be WEEKS now!! I graduate April 29th from UVSC. After 4 1/2 long years, I'll be done with my degree and will finally have time to go fishing once in awhile!!! Woo Hoo!!!!
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[outdoorfanatic]

How do you tell the difference between bullheads and channel cats. How big do the bullheads in Utah lake get? Are they less desireable to catch simply because they're smaller, or is there some other reason? I'm not very familiar with catfishing. Thanks.

[sliverslinger]

Shrimpboy and catman, that is exactly what my grandpa used to use. We used to go net them in small rivers in Rich county. He would kill them, bag them up, and freeze them. I would love to find a few of them if anyone has any ideas for me. Thanks, Jake
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[Coldfooter]

Agree'd Pat,, there plenty of those 20lb+ Kitties left in Utah Lake altho' I think their fewer in number than they were 25 years ago.

I'd be one of those old cat hunters that will admit to snackin' on a few muddies from time to time. Infact, while some prefer Wallies above all else as far as eatin' fish of Utah, I dont. True be known Wallie rank far down my list of prefered munchin' fish. My favorite Ut eater is a (FG) Mac followed closely by Crappie, White Bass, Channel Cat or Muddie, other trout and Wallie, (you note Bucket mouths and Smallies are no where in the picture as far as my prefered table fare), altho their a hoot to catch.. And while working UT lake at night for big kitties there nothing like peelin' the hides off a few muddies, rolling them in foil, and tossing them on the coals. Whats more, luck for me everyone in my house if buffalo'ed by the nick name, Mud Cat, and I'll keep it that way, lol.
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